New industry platform to create digital twins launched

Four organisations pushing advanced use of digitalisation in the maritime sector will create an open source platform to enable a digital copy of a vessel to be created. The aim is to create an opportunity to push forward asset integrity using stored data to create a interactive 3D synthesis of a vessel, help enhance future design, inspection and maintenance.

Rolls-Royce, The Norwegian University of Technology Science (NTNU), research organisation SINTEF Ocean, and classification society DNV GL said they have all signed an MoU to create and launch the platform. The simulation would allow new technical ideas to be tested out ahead of any potential onboard trials and the platform could easily function as a library of model or concept ideas.

DNV GL chief executive Remi Eriksen noted in the press release announcing the platform that such digital services could form the basis for the future of class services.

The project partners said they intend to open the platform for use by other parties, with some core aspects built on an open source framework. which would enable other designers, equipment and system manufacturers, yards, ship owners, operators, research institutes and academia to work together to co-create and innovate together.

The next step for the four organisations is to define and govern the development of the core platform system and its deployment.

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Craig Eason

Craig Eason is the owner and editorial director of Fathom.World. He has a background in the shipping industry having started his career as a cadet on oil tankers and gas carriers before becoming a navigating officer on a range of vessel types. A change in career, with ensuing university studies, and he has now gained 20 years experience in written and broadcast journalism. He now is in demand as a knowledgeable and competent editor and event host and moderator, both for in-house events and ones for the public.